Connecticut Passes Two Bills to Help Fight Problem Gambling

The Nutmeg State is stepping up its fight against problem gambling.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed a pair of bills into law aimed at protecting bettors. It will also allow the state’s Commissioner of Consumer Protection to lead a study on the effect of prediction markets, with the results due by February 2027.

The first bill is SB 296, which increases the penalties for participating in the intentional manipulation of an event to win wagers. It updates the state’s gambling laws, which previously lacked penalties for match-fixing, collusion, and other offenses. Lawmakers hope this will help prevent betting scandals and protect the integrity of the country’s top sports leagues.

The other bill was HB 5529, which allows bettors an easier way to contact sportsbooks. While most platforms offer an online chat feature, they don’t offer a phone number. This bill will require each sportsbook to provide a toll-free phone number so bettors can reach a live person.

The House bill will also ban sportsbook advertising on college campuses as part of a broader push to promote responsible gambling.

While the legislation had originally proposed more significant changes, those were stripped as lawmakers debated the bills.

Big Win for Bettors

While both bills will help bettors in Connecticut’s sports betting market, the requirement to offer a toll-free phone line may be the biggest win. 

Most US consumers know the frustration of dealing with chatbots when attempting to resolve an issue with a business. While AI assistants can be helpful in some industries, they have become a major source of frustration for those in the sports betting industry, where issues can involve large sums of money for customers.

By adding a toll-free line, bettors can address any issues by speaking with a real person rather than an AI bot. This is expected to help resolve more problems and limit the number of frustrated customers. 

The new hotlines can also be a resource for customers struggling with problem betting. While sportsbooks are limited in helping customers with addiction, they can provide information on state and national programs.